Device for adjusting the dial train of watches

ABSTRACT

A setting mechanism for wrist-watches which serves for adjusting the dial train carrying the minute and hour indicating hands. The function is achieved by a setting stem which is provided with a bearing recess and carried on a projecting portion which is rigidly mounted on the movement frame. The setting wheel for setting the dial train is carried on the setting stem and movable in axial direction relative to the setting stem. The setting wheel is positioned by the setting lever which serves, in connection with the set stem lever, as a clutch-like arrangement.

United States Patent Meitinger Sept. 24, 1974 DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE DIAL TRAIN OF WATCHES 22 Filed: Mar. 26, 1973 21 Appl.No.: 334,625

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 272,693, July 7, 1972,

abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 6, 1971 Germany 2139429 [52] US. Cl. 58/67 [51] Int. Cl. G04!) 27/02 [58] Field of Search 58/63, 67, 68, 85.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,360,113 10/1944 Drescher 58/67 i, Ni ii li- 2,589,052 3/1952 Chiffelle ..58/63X Primary ExaminerGeorge H. Miller, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-H. Dale Palmatier; James R. I-laller [5 7] ABSTRACT A setting mechanism for wrist-watches which serves for adjusting the dial train carrying the minute and hour indicating hands. The function is achieved by a setting stem which is provided with a bearing recess and carried on a projecting portion which is rigidly mounted on the movement frame. The setting wheel for setting the dial train is carried on the setting stem and movable in axial direction relative to the setting stem. The setting wheel is positioned by the setting lever which serves, in connection with the set stem lever, as a clutch-like arrangement.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 2 2L iiillli PATENTEDSEP241974 I, I

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PATENIEDSEPZMQM sum 3 or 4 Iii" mam

DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE DIAL TRAIN O WATCHES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This is a division of application Ser. No. 272,693, filed July 7, 1972, now abandoned.

The presently-known devices for adjusting the dial train carrying time indicating means in watches, being called hand-setting devices in the following, employ setting wheels for setting the hands. Said setting wheels are form-lockingly arranged on setting stems. By axially displacing the setting stems the said setting wheels can be moved to occupy various coupling positions where the indicating means, being called hands in the following, can be adjusted by rotating the setting stem. Thereby the bearing of the setting stem is generally provided by boreholes or recesses in the movement frame in which projecting portions or shoulders of the setting stern are pivoted. The setting wheels are actuated through notched elements which consist of at least one so-called set stem lever penetrating into a recess of the setting stem and one setting lever carrying the setting wheel. Besides this, setting devices are known where the setting. lever is replaced by a so-called rocking-bar which is arranged coaxially with a wheel, the latter meshing with the setting wheel that cannot be moved in axial direction. The wheels are again fixed on the said rocking-bar which can indirectly establish a connection between the dial train and the setting wheel. I

These devices have the disadvantage that the bearing of the setting stem is either inexact and/or occupies relatively much room. Besides that, the bearing of the setting stem is generally formed by parts of the movement frame. It is usual for the movement frame, in which the setting stem runs, to be made of a soft material, e.g. brass, and the setting stem being hardened for reasons of resistance. In order to avoid the formation of burrs, the setting stem must then be smooth-finished very carefully. Considering the fact that the setting stem must be moved in axial direction, it is furthermore not possible to provide this bearing of a setting stem shoulder or projecting portion in the plane of the setting wheel itself. This, therefore, results in the disadvantage that the meshing conditions on the setting wheel may considerably change by a swinging of the setting stem. Such devices also require additional means to avoid that, in the case of the removal of the setting stem, for example during repair work, the setting wheel leaves its running position and that it will then no longer be possible to assemble the setting stem without a special operation on the movement becoming necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the presented invention, the disadvantages of the hand-setting devices of'known art are overcome by a setting stem no longer mounted in a bearing on its circumference but in a recess in which there is a projecting portion that is rigidly connected with the movement. The projecting portion being connected with the movement can be made of hard metal, e.g. steel. Furthermore, the bearing can be located directly in the plane of the setting wheel, whereby the setting wheel is either very exactly positioned in radial direction or greater manufacturing tolerances are allowed. Also in case of a disassembled setting stem the said projecting portion will position the setting wheel in such a way that the setting stem can again be assembled to the setting wheel at any time. In addition, the device has the advantage that only few and simple components are required.

An embodiment of the presented invention is illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the hand-setting arrangement in the direction of the setting stem axis.

FIG. 2 is a top view from bearing frame 19, whereby the setting stem occupies its coupling position nearest to the movement center. Bearing frame 19 is omitted.

FIG. 3 likewise is a top view showing the setting stem in its other coupling position being farthest from the movement center. Bearing frame 19 is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in the plane of the setting wheel and on the level of the setting stem recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 demonstrates in a sectional view the construction of an embodiment of the presented invention. Setting stem 1 is rotatably positioned in the movement by the help of projecting portion 17 which forms part of plate 2 which is fixed on bearing frame 19 in the movement serving for carrying the bearings of the different components, e.g. pinion 25. Setting wheel 9 is not rotatable but is arranged in such a way as to be moved in axial direction on setting stem 1. Setting wheel 9 is positioned on setting stem 1 by means of setting lever 7 which keeps setting wheel 9 in mesh with switch lever 12, the latter being used toadjust means 16 carrying calendar information. Set stem lever 5 penetrates into a recess of setting stem 1 and allows to move setting lever 7 towards wheel 11 as soon as set stem lever 5 is moved by setting stem 1 towards projecting portion 26 which forms part of bearing frame 3 of the movement and limits the motion of set stem lever 5. Before set stem lever 5 reaches projecting portion 26, setting wheel 9 gets in mesh with wheel 11. The latter is solidly positioned on pinion 25. Bearing frame 3 serves as a rotatable bearing on wheel 11. Pinion 25 is in mesh with the partly shown hour wheel 21 which carries the not shown hour indicating means in a known manner. Wheel 11, pinion 25. and hour wheel 21 are components of the dial train which carries the adjustable hands of the timepiece.

For disassembling setting stem 1, set stem lever 5 is movable into recess 14 of bearing frame 3. Disassembling of setting stem 1 is impossible if setting stem 1 is operated into such a coupling position where setting wheel 9 is in mesh with wheel 11, as shown in FIG. 3.

Until re-assembling setting stem 1, setting wheel 9 is positioned by projecting portion 17 which penetrates into the plane of setting wheel 9 in its farthest as well as in its nearest coupling position to wheel ll-. This condition ensures that, for re-assembling purposes, pipe-like portion 18 of setting stem 1 is movable between projecting portion 17 and setting wheel 9. Pipelike portion 18 of setting stem 1 is of non-circular shape on its outside, e.g. square-shaped, which allows an axial motion but no rotation of setting wheel 9 on setting stem 1. For assembling setting stem 1, no special h'andling of set stem lever is necessary as it is automatically moved into recess 14 by surface 24 when setting stem 1 is moved in axial direction towards the staff of pinion 25 to its normal position. Plate 2 is positioned opposite to setting lever 7 on bearing frame 19 when viewed from setting stem 1. The advantage is that the wheels of the dial train, especially wheel 11, do not disturb positioning of plate 2 which carries projecting portion 17. Wheel 11 is closer to the movement center than setting stem 1. FIG. 1 shows setting stem 1 in its coupling position closest to the movement center. The feature of this position with set stem lever 5 being movable into recess 14 in order to unlock setting stem 1, has the advantage that any force moving setting stem I away from the movement center, at first moves set stern lever 5 towards projecting portion 26. Thus, any undesired disassembly of setting stem 1 is omitted.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in the same coupling position as FIG. 1 without bearing frame 19. This figure especially shows the shape of setting lever 7 which is carried in notches of movement pillars 8 which connect bearing frame 3 with bearing frame 19, as shown in FIG. 1. Setting lever 7 carries setting wheel 9 which is positioned in recess 10 of setting lever 7. The borders of recess 10 make sure that the axial position of setting wheel 9 is determined by setting lever 7. Setting lever 7 is kept in contact with set stem lever 5 by means of spring-like portion 6. Set stem lever 5 is actuated by recess of setting stem 1. Set stem lever 5 is rotatably positioned on staff 4 which is, compared with the bearing hole, of such a dimension that set stem lever 5 can be swivelled at right angles to its plane of rotation towards the plane of the drawing into recess 14 so that setting stem 1.is movable away from wheel 11 until it is completely disassembled from the movement.

Surface 23 of setting stem 1 carries a square which allows to rotate setting wheel 9 by rotating setting stem 1.

FIG. 3 shows the coupling position where" setting wheel 9 is" in mesh wheel 11 forming part of the dial train. Rotation of setting stem 1 allows to adjust the time indicating means which are carried by the dial train. Nose portion 27 of set stem lever 5 actuates setting lever 7. Set stem lever 5 is moved by setting stem 1 from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 and vice versa.

FIG. 4 shows the hand-setting device in the direction of setting stem 1. It demonstrates how setting lever 7 is carried in notch 22 of movement pillar 8 which connects the bearing frames 3 and 19 of the movement.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiment disclosed is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a watch having a bearing frame and a time indicator dial carried by a dial train,

a device for adjusting the dial train comprising a rotatable setting stem having a recessed end and positioned radially of the dial axis, a frame-mounted supportive projection extending axially inwardly of the recessed end of the setting stem, a setting wheel keyed to the setting stern and functionally connectable to the dial train to adjust the latter in response to rotation of the setting stem, the setting wheel being axially slidable on the setting stem into and out of functional connection with the dial train, frame-mounted movement pillars, and a setting lever supported by and movable in notches in the pillars for axially guiding the setting wheel into and out of functional connection with the dial train in response to axial movement of the set stem.

2. In a watch having a bearing frame and a time indicator dial carried by a dial train,

a device for adjusting the dial train comprising a rotatable setting stem having a recessed end and positioned radially of the dial axis, a frame-mounted, supportive projection extending axially inwardly of the recessed end of the setting stem, a setting wheel axially slidably keyed to the setting stem and functionally connectable to the dial train to adjust the latter in response to rotation of the setting stem, a setting lever for axially guiding the setting wheel into and out of functional connection with the dial train in response to axial movement of the setting stem, and a set stem lever connecting the setting stem and setting lever, the set stem lever being rotatably mounted to the frame and movable away from its rotational plane to disengage the setting stem, whereby the latter may be disassembled from the watch. 

1. In a watch having a bearing frame and a time indicator dial carried by a dial train, a device for adjusting the dial train comprising a rotatable setting stem having a recessed end and positioned radially of the dial axis, a frame-mounted supportive projection extending axially inwardly of the recessed end of the setting stem, a setting wheel keyed to the setting stem and functionally connectable to the dial train to adjust the latter in response to rotation of the setting stem, the setting wheel being axially slidable on the setting stem into and out of functional connection with the dial train, frame-mounted movement pillars, and a setting lever supported by and movable in notches in the pillars for axially guiding the setting wheel into and out of functional connection with the dial train in response to axial movement of the set stem.
 2. In a watch having a bearing frame and a time indicator dial carried by a dial train, a device for adjusting the dial train comprising a rotatable setting stem having a recessed end and positioned radially of the dial axis, a frame-mounted, supportive projection extending axially inwardly of the recessed end of the setting stem, a setting wheel axially slidably keyed to the setting stem and fuNctionally connectable to the dial train to adjust the latter in response to rotation of the setting stem, a setting lever for axially guiding the setting wheel into and out of functional connection with the dial train in response to axial movement of the setting stem, and a set stem lever connecting the setting stem and setting lever, the set stem lever being rotatably mounted to the frame and movable away from its rotational plane to disengage the setting stem, whereby the latter may be disassembled from the watch. 